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Trophic Efficiency

Trophic Efficiency

Trophic level transfer efficiency (TLTE) is a measure of the total energy transfer from one trophic level to the next. Due to extensive energy loss as metabolic heat, an average of only 10% of the original energy obtained is passed on to the next level. This pattern of energy loss severely limits the possible number of trophic levels in a food chain.

Energy Considerations in Open Channel Flow

Energy Considerations in Open Channel Flow

Open channel flow, where a fluid flows with a free surface exposed to the atmosphere, is primarily governed by gravitational and surface effects, distinguishing it from closed conduit or pipe flow. In open channels such as rivers, canals, and artificial channels, energy analysis provides valuable insights into flow behavior and the relationship between depth, velocity, and slope.Specific Energy and Flow DepthIn open channel flow, the specific energy, E, combines the gravitational potential...

Production Efficiency

Production Efficiency

Net production efficiency (NPE) is the efficiency at which organisms assimilate energy into biomass for the next trophic level. Due to low metabolic rates and less energy spent on thermoregulatory processes, the NPE of ectotherms (cold-blooded animals) is 10 times higher than endotherms (warm-blooded animals).

Primary Production

Primary Production

The total amount of energy acquired by primary producers in an ecosystem is called gross primary production (GPP). However, of this energy, producers use some for metabolic processes, and some is lost as heat, decreasing the amount of energy available to the next trophic level. The remaining usable amount of energy is called the net primary productivity (NPP). In terrestrial ecosystems, NPP is driven by climate, while light penetration and nutrient availability drive NPP in aquatic ecosystems.

What is an Ecosystem?

What is an Ecosystem?

Uniform Depth Channel Flow

Uniform Depth Channel Flow

Uniform depth channel flow keeps fluid depth consistent along channels such as irrigation canals. In natural channels, such as rivers, approximate uniform flow is often assumed. This condition occurs when the channel’s bottom slope matches the energy slope, balancing potential energy lost from gravity with head loss due to shear stress. This balance prevents depth changes along the channel length, resulting in a steady, uniform flow.Uniform flow in open channels with a constant cross-section...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: Understanding Riverine Nitrogen Impacts and Primary Productivity for Effective Nutrient Management

Author Spotlight: Understanding Riverine Nitrogen Impacts and Primary Productivity for Effective Nutrient Management

Published on: July 14, 2023

Energy Flow Through Marine Ecosystems: Confronting Transfer Efficiency.

Tyler D Eddy¹, Joey R Bernhardt², Julia L Blanchard³

¹Nippon Foundation Nereus Program, Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA; Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research, Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|October 24, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Energy transfer efficiency in food webs is crucial for marine ecosystems. This review highlights its variability, impact from fishing, and predicted decline with climate change, affecting fisheries resources.

Keywords:

climate change energy transfer fishing impacts food web trophic ecology trophic efficiency

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Last Updated: Dec 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: Understanding Riverine Nitrogen Impacts and Primary Productivity for Effective Nutrient Management

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Published on: July 14, 2023

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Chemotactic Response of Marine Micro-Organisms to Micro-Scale Nutrient Layers

Chemotactic Response of Marine Micro-Organisms to Micro-Scale Nutrient Layers

Published on: May 28, 2007

Area of Science:

Marine ecology
Food web dynamics
Ecosystem energetics

Background:

Transfer efficiency (TE) quantifies energy transfer between trophic levels in food webs.
TE is a dynamic, unitless property influenced by environmental and ecosystem changes.
Variations in TE can significantly impact higher trophic levels and overall ecosystem stability.

Purpose of the Study:

To review processes controlling TE.
To examine methods for estimating TE.
To synthesize known variations of TE across marine biomes.

Main Methods:

Literature review of process-level studies on TE.
Analysis of macroscale variations in TE.
Synthesis of existing data on TE across ocean biomes.

Main Results:

Ecosystem-scale TE is highly variable.
Fishing activities demonstrably impact TE.
Climate change is predicted to cause a decline in TE.

Conclusions:

Understanding TE is critical for predicting marine ecosystem changes.
Improved modeling of TE processes is needed for fisheries management.
TE variations have significant implications for marine food availability and fisheries resources.